Suspension tram system



y 1936. J. STRAUSS SUSPENSION TRAM SYSTEM Filed June 11, 1931 Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to suspension tram systems and has for its object to provide a new and improved device of this description. The invention has as a further object to provide a tram way system which is exceedingly flexible in its adaptation to the train and to the crossing of ravines or rivers. The invention has as a further object to provide a tram way system which is particularly adaptable for long distance lines and requires very little ground space and readily adapts itself to grades and local conditions. The invention has as a further object to provide a tram way system particularly adapted for long distance lines and inter-city service and high speed travel. The invention has as a further object to provide a tram way system which can be erected and used on existing rights of way, such as railroads or the like, without interference therewith. f The invention has other objects which are more particularly set forth in the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation 'of one form of device embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing wherein I have illustrated one form of device embodying the invention, I provide a series of towers I located at intervals. These towers are preferably made of concrete' and have side walls 2 and 3, a bottom wall 4 and a top wall 5, there being a central space 6 through which the cars pass. Each tower preferably has two supports 1 on each side. Mounted upon the towers are the A frames 8, which are preferably ,of concrete construction and consist of a steel frame 9 embedded in concrete. Suspended between these A frames are the supporting cables l0. These supporting cables are connected by suspending members H with the steel supporting structure l2. The steel supporting structure as herein shown consists of built side members I3, preferably trusses, one on each side of the device, and these side members are connected together at intervals with the supporting 5 braces M. The tops of the side members l3 are connected to the supporting braces M by means of the lateral bracing members [5, see Fig. 2. Depending from the supporting braces 14 are the members I6, 11, I8 and [9 which act as the track 10 supporting members. The members l6 and [9 are connected at the bottom with the side members 13 by the cross pieces 2| and 20, which project beyond the members [6 and 19, as shown in Fig. 2, and upon which the outer rails 22 are 15.

carried. The track supporting members I l and I8 are provided at their lower ends with the cross members 24 and 23 upon which; the inner rails 25 and 26 are supported. Connected with the inner track supporting members l1 and I8 is a 20 third track having rails 21, said track being supi ported by members 28 and 29 connected with the track supporting members l1 and I8. Cars 30 run upon these tracks, and cars 3| run upon the two main tracks. 25

I claim:

A suspension tram way system comprising a series of towers located at intervals, frames on the top of said towers, suspension cables connected with said frames, steel supporting frames ex- 30 tending between the towers, suspending members a connecting said cables with said steel supporting frames, said steel supporting frames having separated side members, supporting braces connecting them at intervals, four depending members 35 connected with said braces and arranged in pairs, two sets of tracks connected with said depending members for cars traveling in opposite directions, supporting members connected with the inner depending members, and a third track connected 40 with said supporting members.

JOSEPH B. STRAUSS. 

